Connecting electrode unit for neon signs



G. L. LlNK CONNECTING ELECTRODE UNIT FOR NEON SIGNS March 28, 1939.

Filed Aug. 11, 1938 jrzu'w'zi'or" 620276 Lauz'J Lin/r M Patented Mar. 28, 1939 CONNECTING ELECTRODE UNIT FOR NEON SIGNS George Louis Link, Chicago, Ill.

Application August 11, 1938, Serial No. 224,345

4 Claims.

This invention is directed to a self-insulated discharge tube also frequently referred to as a connecting electrode unit adaptable for use with electric signs employing illuminating tubes utilizing gas such as neon gas.

It is particularly directed to a tube and electrode and insulating assembly and unit for use at the terminals of illuminating tubes at the places where the tubes pass through the metal wall or sign face to make suitable connections with the current supply wires.

Presently employed and presently known constructions, and particularly those known as external insulators, have many objectionable features in that they are of considerable size and bulk and protrude from the faces or Walls of the sign, and usually pass through apertures formed in the sign body which permit and cause the entry of rain water or spray therefrom as well as the entry of various bugs which are usually attracted by light, with the result that the bugs are electrocuted and accumulate about the usual electrode to form a mass which becomes wet when it rains and with the result of short circuit and necessity for frequent servicing and replacement.

An important object of my invention is the provision of a terminal electrode unit which eliminates the above mentioned objectionable features of presently known constructions, and which reduces the size of the holes necessary in the body of the sign through which. the tubes pass and which provides an effective and permanent insulation under all weather conditions.

A further important object of my invention is to provide an insulated terminal unit for terminal electrodes which is inexpensively made and installed and which adapts itself to inexpensive and quick connection with the ends of the gascontaining tube of the sign.

A further important object of my invention is the provision of a terminal unit for sign tubes containing an electrode which is mounted by non-conductive material within a tubular insulating member, the interior of the tubular insulating member being in communication with the sign tube, and having a separate and outer cylindrical or tubular guard or housing which has its inner end open and its outer end fused or otherwise connected to the outer end of the insulator member containing the electrode, said guard or housing being preferably beaded and protecting the insulator member and its contained electrode.

Other and further objects of my invention will be apparent from the following description and claims.

This invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawing and hereinafter more fully described.

0n the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view taken on the horizontal plane illustrating one of my electrode discharge tube terminal units.

Fig. 2 is a slightly enlarged cross sectional view taken longitudinally through the center of said electrode terminal unit.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of the yieldable contact spring illustrated in normal contacting position against the outer and exterior portion of the conductor wires communieating with the interior electrode, this being a modified form to the extent that the interposed disk of the preferred form is omitted.

Reference numeral l0 designates the discharge or illuminating glass tube, only a portion of which is illustrated, said illuminating tube itself forming the neon sign letters, figures, etc., and. having two terminals like those illustrated. Numeral l2 represents one of a plurality of insulated supporting posts which hold the tube of the sign to the sign body or casing 3. Numeral M represents an angular metal socket in which the end of insulated post [3 is mounted, each post being mounted in each of the sockets I (not shown) and being suitably bolted or screwed to the sign body. The particular angular socket I4 is secured against the wall l5 of the sign body by screw l6 which threads into passaged and threaded binding post I'I made of insulated material.

Numeral I9 represents a cylindrical casing or guard (preferably made of glass or other suitable insulating material) and which has one open end and its other end formed with an integral annular head 20. The said beaded end of easing I9 converges gradually to a reduced portion 2| which is fused with end of illuminating tube ill, in the position substantially as illustrated in the drawing.

The internal electrode insulator guard or member 22, which is preferably of glass or other nonconductive material, is mounted centrally within casing l9, by means of fusing its end, indicated by numeral 23, to the converging portion 2| of the beaded end of easing IS, the fused junctures thereof being designated by said numeral 23.

Electrode insulator member 22 is hollow and has its free end preferably reduced and terminating in a thinner blunt portion 22a through which a pair of lead-in conductor wires 24 pass. The outer exposed ends of lead-in wires 24 are joined together and bent angularly, as illustrated in Fig. 2, to form an electrical contacting surface along the sides thereof.

A tubular metal electrode is mounted longitudinally and centrally within insulator member 22 by means of a washer 26 formed of mica or other suitable non-conductive material. Said washer 28 fits snugly within glass insulator member 22 and is held in desired position by friction of its inner aperture edge with the surface of the electrode and by friction of its outer edge with insulator member 22. The inner looped ends of lead-in wires 24 are first inserted in the end aperture of the reduced end of electrode 25 and impinged therein by squeezing said reduced end together.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the free end of insulating post 13 is threaded for reception of binding post 28. One end of electrical contact wire 21 is secured on binding post i3 and a suitable washer 29 and held thereagainst by inner nut 30. The terminal end of an electrical cable II is connected to said binding post 28 by nut 32, said cable 3| leading to the transformer.

The other end of electrical contact wire 21 is coiled to form a helical spring 21a, and a flanged metal disk 83 is secured on the end convolution by turning the peripheral flange of said disk about the coil of wire. Said disk presents an electrical contact surface which normally and springably contacts the exposed ends of the leadin conductor wires 24, as illustrated in Fig. 2. This permits quick convenient removal or replacement of the glass casing IS with its contained and associated parts.

When the casing I9 is inserted and mounted in the apertures formed in vertical wall ii, a yieldable gasket or washer is interposed to engage the annular shoulder 20 of each of the casings l9, this forming a tight seal to present rattling and vibration and entry of small bugs within the sign body.

My invention provides a convenient and inexpensive terminal unit or electrode unit which may be quickly connected and installed, and when necessary. quickly and inexpensively replaced, and further providing an efilcient unit which is so constructed that it is moisture proof under any usualweather conditions.

Various .changes may be made in the embodiment of they invention herein specifically described without departing from or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention or any features thereof, and nothing herein shall be construed as limitations upon the invention, its concept or structural embodiment as to the whole or any part thereof except as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a terminal and connecting unit for neon signs or the like, a cylindrical guard housing open atone end and having an annular bead at its other end adapted to seat against the sign wall when'said unit is inserted in a sign wall aperture; an enlarged integral cylindrical extension within said housing and having one end Joined to a sign tube, to communicate the interiors of such tube and said extension and thereby forming a cylindrical air space between said guard housing and said enlarged extension; a tubular electrode mounted within said insulator member; and electrical contact wires secured at one end to said electrode and passing through said sealed end of said insulator member and projecting exteriorly therefrom.

2. In a terminal and connecting unit for neon signs or the like, a cylindrical guard housing open at one end and having an annular bead at its other end adapted to seat. against a sign wall when said unit is inserted in a sign wall aperture; a tubular-shaped tube extension having one sealed end and its other end joined to a sign tube and thereby communicating the interior thereof with a sign tube, said guard housing being connected at one end to tubular extension and forming a cylindrical air space between said guard housing and said tubular extension; a tubular electrode mounted within said tubular extension; electrical contact wires connected to said electrode and extending through and projecting from the sealed end of said tubular extension; an electrical conducting contacting spring removably and yieldably contacting the projecting end of said contact wires and cable means for electrically connecting said spring to an electric power source.

3. In a terminal assembly for neon signs or the like, a non-conductlve cylindrical insulator member having one closed end and its other end connected to the sign tube to form communication between said sign tube and said member; a

tubular electrode mounted centrally within said insulator member; non-conductive means for removably mounting said electrode in said insulator member; an outer guard housing of non-conductive material. mounted to surround said insulator member and form an annular air space between said housing and said member, said guard housing being open at one end, the other end of said guard housing being beaded and connected to said insulator member; conducting wires connected to said electrode and extending through the sealed end of said insulator member; and a springable contact ele ment connected to a source of electricity and adapted to normally contact the outer end of said conductor wires.

4. In a terminal assembly for neon signs or the like, a non-conductive cylindrical insulator member having one closed end and its other end connected to the sign tube to form communication between said sign tube and said member; a tubular electrode mounted centrally within said insulator member; non-conductive means for removably mounting said electrode in said insulator member; an outer guard housing of non-conductive material mounted to surround said insulator member and form an annular air space between said housing and said member, said guard housing being open at one end, the other end of said guard housing being beaded and connected to said insulator member; con ducting wires connected to said electrode and extending through the sealed end of said insulator member and the outer end of said conducting wires being adapted to be contacted by electrical conducting means leading from an electric power source.

GEORGE LOUIS LINK. 

